September 11, 2011

Would this be a better picture if Michelle Obama's head did not appear to be a bulbous extension of Obama's head? And if Bush's head didn't seem to be a weight hanging from Obama's neck? At first I thought yes, but now I think it's utterly fascinating, symbolically and graphically. Note that we only see Obama's body, so the other 2 heads seem like growths on that body. His wife would pull him back, perhaps with excessive braininess, and his predecessor would pull him down, with all the regrets and burdens of the past. With effort, he lifts up his head...

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

That's not the Psalm Obama read at the ceremony, which was Psalm 46. This is Psalm 3.

LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”...

Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

Re religious symbolism/words: Walter Russell Meade had a great post on why excluding a prayer service was a shame: 9/11 and God.

Key graf:"The hollow rhetoric and conventional cliches that politicians habitually spout at events like this one are superficial and soporific. One turns to the clergy, bringing ancient words of comfort and reassurance to provide some dignity and honor to these events."

"The hollow rhetoric and conventional cliches that politicians habitually spout at events like this one are superficial and soporific. One turns to the clergy, bringing ancient words of comfort and reassurance to provide some dignity and honor to these events."

Obama knows people like you will find deep, deep meaning in his head uptilt. In fact he has practiced that pose to perfection. But mostly because he thinks that way the skin thingy on the side of his nostril does not show in pictures. I can imagine him being sensitive about that.

I've said this many times... Alex is a TROLL and will write anything to get a reaction. Later in this thread it will probably write about how atheists are ruining America. It has ruined more discussions here than almost any other troll ( though it may also be just one head of the hydra that runs some of the other trolls).

“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayert: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

Or like you don't recognize an allusion when you see it. Link added to help you out.

Yeah, but if Hoffa indentified the sons of bitches who want to hurt America as Al-Qaeda, who would disagree with him? Or are we supposed to think that Al-Qaeda and the Tea Party are close enough for purposes of analogy?

What was even more disturbing was the photo that accompanied the article. There is George Bush, head bowed piously, and Barack Obama, nose stuck up in the air. Pictures say a thousand words and this one says that someone at the NYTimes is preparing to Gore Obama.

As much as I dislike Bush's handling of the 9/11 response and his complacency before it, I must appreciate his class in handling these events and I see genuine angst and grief on his face. Mr. Headtilt, nothing, nada, zero.

"Yeah, but if Hoffa indentified the sons of bitches who want to hurt America as Al-Qaeda, who would disagree with him? Or are we supposed to think that Al-Qaeda and the Tea Party are close enough for purposes of analogy?"

That's the intended conundrum.

It just doesn't have anything to do with "desiring slavery." (Where does *that* come from?!)

Funny I was just reading Norman Mailer on Picasso. forms. "For he is also saying that exploration is circular, it moves along the route of association, and so any exploration of reality must travel not from object to object but from relation to relation."

Also, I found it interesting that the Psalmist calls upon God in such brutish language, which seemed about equivalent to Hoffa. The Bible is a strange compendium, with all sorts of things we would decry if we encountered the modern-day equivalent.

Now, I started off talking about Psalm 3 because I wanted one of those lift-up-your-heads-to-the-Lord lines. Then I kept reading and thought: That a hell of a prayer! Hey, God, punch those guys in the jaw and break their teeth.

Is that a worthy imprecation? Maybe Hoffa's lines weren't all that bad.

Alex, as an orthodox Christian, all I can say is.....is that I love you and pray for you. If you ever are in need, please feel free to contact me and I will come to your aid. Whether it is food, a place to stay, or some other issue.

Now, I started off talking about Psalm 3 because I wanted one of those lift-up-your-heads-to-the-Lord lines. Then I kept reading and thought: That a hell of a prayer! Hey, God, punch those guys in the jaw and break their teeth.

The prayer is against those that were determined enemies of God and God's people.

One thing is certain, the determined enemies of God are not His children. Which means it'a always good to be careful knowing that God describes himself as a Father who watches out for His children.

"If all one sees in religion is a Jerry Falwell or a Pat Robertson or a Islamic extremist, one is missing out of a vast amount of insight into human nature."

I was reminded of this when reading about the flooding in Minot North Dakota. Mennenites and Southern Baptists have both come into the city to volunteer to work on the 4,000 houses damaged by the flooding. They are staying in churches, sleeping on the floors.

Also, I found it interesting that the Psalmist calls upon God in such brutish language, which seemed about equivalent to Hoffa. The Bible is a strange compendium, with all sorts of things we would decry if we encountered the modern-day equivalent.

Now, I started off talking about Psalm 3 because I wanted one of those lift-up-your-heads-to-the-Lord lines. Then I kept reading and thought: That a hell of a prayer! Hey, God, punch those guys in the jaw and break their teeth.

Is that a worthy imprecation? Maybe Hoffa's lines weren't all that bad.

The children of Israel spent a great part of the time chronicled in the Old Testament fighting for their very existence. They didn't need a God whose motto was BOHICA.

The people on the American frontier in the days before and during the American Revolution also had an affinity for the Old Testament - besieged as they were by the Indians and the French or, later, British.

I know an educated woman such as yourself knows this, but it's good to remember that the Judeo-Christian religions aren't only meekness. Even Christ picked up a scourge when He thought the cause was just.

He's looking up toward the heavens, with his eyes closed. Why are you attributing egotistical thoughts to him? Bush could be thinking about himself too. God only knows if their thoughts effectively reached their intended addressee, if any.

Do you purport to know, and if you do, are you sure it does not displease God to purport to know?

"I know an educated woman such as yourself knows this, but it's good to remember that the Judeo-Christian religions aren't only meekness. Even Christ picked up a scourge when He thought the cause was just."

I'm aware of the Christian fondness for the muscular Jesus. What would you guys do without the whip scene?

I remember the part where he teaches us how to pray. There was nothing in there about asking God to sock your enemies in the jaw and break their teeth.

The Bible is a strange compendium, with all sorts of things we would decry if we encountered the modern-day equivalent.

Sure, if one takes it literally.

But you know quite well, you're a very smart person, that the Bible is filled with allegories and metaphors and symbols.

"If thy eye offend thee pluck it out" doesn't literally mean you should gouge your eye out. It means, of course, that if something in your life is causing you to sin or causing grief, remove it from your life.

When we were younger we'd have to close our eyes during the prayer for a meal. And of course we'd cry out as soon as it was done, "Daddy, Johnny had his eyes open!" And of course Daddy would say, "How would you know? Did you have YOUR eyes open?"

Why you even care about this I don't know. How someone prays - or doesn't pray - is a matter between them and their God.

He's looking up toward the heavens, with his eyes closed. Why are you attributing egotistical thoughts to him

Perhaps it is a cultural thing. I have never been to a church or to an event where there was prayer where people did not bow their heads. It would be seen as disrespectful, arrogant and just very weird to be lifting your head during a prayer or moment of silence in lieu of prayer.

As for my thoughts pleasing God, I have a feeling that he is used to me disappointing him. I am not happy about that.

I also think that God is probably not too happy about the United States, the hope of all enslaved people, being turned into just another country that enslaves its citizens. I do think that is the way it is going.

"Sure, if one takes it literally. But you know quite well, you're a very smart person, that the Bible is filled with allegories and metaphors and symbols. If thy eye offend thee pluck it out" doesn't literally mean you should gouge your eye out. It means, of course, that if something in your life is causing you to sin or causing grief, remove it from your life."

This is how our President honors the memory of those who died on 9/11...with a Hallmark moment.

Today's events are nothing more than must-do ceremonies and campaign photo ops.

When most adult Americans can touch a shared emotion, a common thread in such moments, Obama is cool and aloof. Perhaps it's a coping mechanism, but Michelle may have revealed more than she intended in Madison in 2008. They do not feel a part of the fabric of America, and it shows time and time again.

Get Over It – 9/11 is Now NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY – So DECREES Obama

Home - by BigFurHat -

*************************

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2011, as National Grandparents Day. I call upon all Americans to take the time to honor their own grandparents and those in their community."

"I know an educated woman such as yourself knows this, but it's good to remember that the Judeo-Christian religions aren't only meekness. Even Christ picked up a scourge when He thought the cause was just."

I'm aware of the Christian fondness for the muscular Jesus. What would you guys do without the whip scene?

I remember the part where he teaches us how to pray. There was nothing in there about asking God to sock your enemies in the jaw and break their teeth.

You're in a frisky mood today.

My main point was about the Old Testament and that it reflected the need of a people whose God would endorse the smiting of their enemies. That Christians in a similar situation would turn there, rather than the Beatitudes was in response to your statement, "Then I kept reading and thought: That a hell of a prayer! Hey, God, punch those guys in the jaw and break their teeth.

Is that a worthy imprecation? Maybe Hoffa's lines weren't all that bad."

As to the moneychangers reference, I was merely referring to the fact that even the New Testament isn't entirely given over to meekness.

As someone, whom I can't remember once observed, Christ never said anything in refutation of the Old Testament, but, as you say, His prayer was aimed in a different direction.

PS Saying "I'm aware of the Christian fondness for the muscular Jesus. What would you guys do without the whip scene?" is an odd bit of stereotyping. I have never been able to see Christ as the action hero of Terminator IV.

Some guys might, but I'm not one of them and can't recall meeting any who do.

But the point is (or was) that the President and liberals were going around screaming that even metaphorical language - gun sites and targets - were too much. That unstable people might take them literally.

So, if that's the standard then Hoffa is guilty.

It's a silly standard but it's not mine (I can be silly all by myself).

Since I serve as a weekday sacristan/acolyte and a Eucharistic minister at times one of the things I worry about most is the way I appear to others at Mass. My goal is to be invisible, and I hope people are never offended by something like the way I hold my head during the prayers.

Maybe Hoffa's a bad Biblical scholar, like that guy in Pulp Fiction: "And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy My brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon you."

I been sayin' that shit for years. I just thought it was a cold-blooded thing to say to a motherfucker before I popped a cap in his ass.

As it turns out, all this turned out to be our fault after all. Our last great president lost his re-election bid to Ronald Reagan. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/11/president-jimmy-carter-interview Assuming you can make it all the way to the end, the comments are impressive. Clearly, we as a nation, didn't deserve the last truly good and successful president.

"PS Saying "I'm aware of the Christian fondness for the muscular Jesus. What would you guys do without the whip scene?" is an odd bit of stereotyping. I have never been able to see Christ as the action hero of Terminator IV."

I didn't mean that to refer to all Christians. There's just a subset of Christians who are really into telling you about Christ's most macho moments. They love the whip.

"Hundreds of Longshoremen stormed the Port of Longview [Wash.] early Thursday, overpowered and held security guards, damaged railroad cars, and dumped grain that is the center of a labor dispute, said Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha," the Associated Press reports:

Six guards were held hostage for a couple of hours after 500 or more Longshoremen broke down gates about 4:30 a.m. and smashed windows in the guard shack, he said.

This political violence came just three days after Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa, introducing President Obama's Labor Day speech in Detroit, called for "workers" to wage "war" and "take these son of a bitches out."

George W. Bush responded to 9/11. And, today, we are in a much better place!

The blessings should go to our military people who all volunteer.

And, for the realization that we are now inside their belly. They are not in ours! They don't rule us. They don't command us. And, everything "western" they have they BUY. They don't create!

We met EVIL! Evil din't win. We are ahead. AND, WE, THIS COUNTRY, IS DEFINITELY BLESSED!

I hope Obama stays blessed. This time, just by his doing as little as possible, against the forces from the mideast and europe ... I think he keeps our ship of state OUT of trouble. (Sure. It drives his enemies crazy. So what?)

"PS Saying "I'm aware of the Christian fondness for the muscular Jesus. What would you guys do without the whip scene?" is an odd bit of stereotyping. I have never been able to see Christ as the action hero of Terminator IV."

I didn't mean that to refer to all Christians. There's just a subset of Christians who are really into telling you about Christ's most macho moments. They love the whip.

New one on me, but thank you for explaining.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Obama converts 9-11, a day of national disaster and murder into Grandparent's Day.

Just what planet is Obama actually from? Because it sure doesn't seem to be Earth.

It's Earth, all right. Just the Left hand side.

And I don't think he's converted anything. If he had, Mr Krugman would not have soiled himself and the rest of the Left the way he did this morning.

King David was the warrior guy. And David wrote the Psalms about doing in his enemies.

While God appreciated his sincerity, and promised to establish David a Kingdom that would have a descendant of David on the throne forever, God still picked David's son Solomon to build God a House of Prayer for men to meet God. David was too war like for God's planned prayer and sacrifice operation.

But David's descendant later took back up the Throne of David, and He especially liked to quote Psalm 110 as a description of His role.

At the second coming it seems that His role is again to be a warrior king like David who takes no prisoners.

We all know Obama is a narcissist. A photo capturing a 1/100 of a second in time, or less, doesn't change that one way or the other. He could be getting ready to sneeze. A picture may be worth a 1,000 words, or it may be worthless. Obama's posture often displays aloofness. Just another picture that seems to show that.

There *wasn't* anything wrong with what Hoffa said. That's been everyone's point. It was only bad insofar as liberals have been bashing conservatives over using far less vigorous language. It's all been about the double standard. Surely we all know this by now, right?

As for the bowing, it is tempting to see it metaphorically. In Evangelical circles, the general standard is to bow when praying and lift one's head while praising. But they aren't hard and fast rules, and I doubt anyone would think anything of it. So what is the point again? Is it bad optics for Obama? Absolutely. But in the context of his other flubs, this is nothing.

The hostesses wear Al Capone hats. They have big tits and take cigarette smoking breaks.

The Take Out/Curb Side guy was also Fucking Hot. He was the son of the owner and business is booming.

He was a total guid who loved my Boston Red Sox hat and to prove it to me he rolled up his sleeve to show me this amazing Red B tat. on his incredible brown, sculpted, hard shoulder. He will be going to Fenway next week to watch the game against the Devil Rays-isn't that hot?

We talked about the economy and when GE left Utica 15 years ago and the Adirodack's and his ex girlfriend who lives in the North End.

He also spoke about a story in the NY Times which said that Utica was one of the Rust Belt cities that has weathered the bad economy better than other places. I was like no way, this amazing package read the NY Times? Total Hard On.

I almost started wanking while in my car at Curbside Take out.

So hot.

The food was great too.

Long story short, if in the Finger Lake Region go to Delmonico's. I believe they have 5-6 locations.

So, when is Meadehouse stopping by to see the new puppy at Garage's place?

I pick him up Weds, I have 2nd pick. Can't wait! One of the pups from Chico and Lilly's litter. Really like one of the males, but he has an umbilical hernia, so I'm torn. The breeder will pay for the surgery, which as I understand is not a big deal at all.

Carter issued the original proclamation of Grandparents Day in 1978 and then another in 1979. Obama issued one last year and another this year. I can't find a record of any other president doing this. Maybe they thought it would help with the senior voters.

pb&jLabs are awesome dogs, I've owned three and they have a real sweet dispostion. You have to watch out for bad hips, finding a breeder that knows what they're doing and provides a gurantee is a must.

I had a neighbor who used them for hunting. Those dogs were the most loyal and dedicated--by a large margin--dogs I've ever come across.

And, one of my dog trainers (my 1yr1mo old has been to four dog schools) said that labs will do anything you ask them. She even said that they have such high pain tolerances that they'll trudge along w/ a broken leg, if that's what it takes to complete a task.

That's a bit extreme. But, I think the point is that labs are very dedicated and competent dogs.

BTW, didn't this blog result in the name for Irene's dog (Poppy)? Are you looking for names? If not, what have you decided on?

I owned a black lab when I was still single - the sweetest, most beautiful dog I ever owned. She was pure bred, given to me for free by a military family that needed to move overseas with only i month's notice.

Still kicking it around! I like Tank, cuz the male I'm looking at is built like one. If you have anyone ideas hit me.

@kimschI dog sat a husky for a month that had those cool blue eyes. Actually one blue eye, the other was brown. That dog was friggin scary smart. These pups will lose that blue color in a few weeks, although there is a really nice female from another older litter that has and will keep the blue eyes. He wants to keep her to breed though.

I had the exact same thoughts, Ann. Looks to me like Obama's striking a dramatic pose for the cameras while Bush is remembering and truly grieving for the lives lost Sept 11 and in the wars fighting terrorism since then. I'm sure it's impossible to see the photo without interpretation, but that's the way I see it! I sure miss the sincerity of Bush!

My chocolate lab mix is an extremely loyal and good dog. He is smart and wants to please. Sadly, due to circumstances beyond his control, he has only had a few months where he was not beta dog to a female dog. Life's a bitch, then another one shows up.

One thing for sure, that dog loves water. I walk him to the river every day so he can swim if he cares to. My Border Collie has taken up swimming just to remain alpha in all situations, but of course, she just wants to herd the minnows she sees in the water.

Yeah, Old Testament is hardcore, starring Vengeful God (Merciful God is New Testament, until you get to Revelations). The only reason I read any of the bible as a child was for the fight scenes. God even asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son, and Abraham was just about to do it when God said 'just kidding! You were really gonna kill your own kid. You're hardcore!' And don't even get me started on Job. David was a great Jewish king but he also sent one of his generals to his death so David could have his wife. This despite David having dozens of wives and hundreds of concubines. That's hardcore!

Althouse, there's a very nice, if flawed book, entitled Your God is Too Small. It addresses various aspects of Jesus...and one of them is the idea of the Meek and Pale Christ. And the counter is Jesus Cleansing the Temple. I'd agree, the number of Christians who see Jesus as an “action hero” is small, BUT Jesus was no shrinking violet. Certainly, he demanded a great deal from His followers and was uncompromising towards Evil. He may not have advocated punching people's lights out, but He certainly didn't advocate meekly going to the slaughter or failing to oppose Evil.

Glad Titus had a nice time Upstate. From Buffalo to Syracuse to Utica to Rome, the region has been destroyed by NY State high taxes 1st, then by globalization and free trade.Rochester clings on in a little better shape as a technology outpost, but half the city is now minority and on welfare and crime is 150% greater than the national average.

But as Titus noted, the place is still beautiful, a lot remains from the more prosperous times when America rewarded industry and hard work in factories. And the people are really great, gay or straight. A lot of Italian American, Balkan American, Ukrainian types still there even as the minorities converted many downtowns into slums.

Correlation is not causation. In the Longview, WA case--reprehensible though it certainly is--we have a dispute between two unions. Due to increased mechanization at the Port of Longview, some Longshoreman jobs are being eliminated and more Teamsters are being hired. No union-busting (or even "union-busting" in scare-quotes) in sight, as far as I can see.

In the Bible, the Jewish people are the perennial underdogs in need of God's protection and guidance.

Jimmy Hoffa and the unions he represents? Not so much.

As to the "lift my head high" part -- I don't think that's referring to demeanor during prayer. I think that's getting back to the beleagured underdog thing -- with God on my side, I need never hang my head in shame before my enemies. That sort of thing.

@DaveW: If, while stationed at the front of the church, you hold your head high, eyes closed, with a slight smile on your face, others will most certainly notice you, and probably roll their eyes. Just sayin'.

WSJ reports that the company was using union-free labor. NYT says the workers were from another union. I suspect the NYT reporter got it wrong, but it doesn't matter. This union has lashed out with Hoffa-style violence.

Correlation is not causation.

Okay, so imagine Mother Teresa gives a pro-life speech. And she says we need to "take them out." And 3 days later 200 pro-lifers storm an abortion clinic and damage the facilities as they take hostages for four hours.

What would the press reaction to that be? It would be another Catholic scandal, right? They would go ballistic.

The press is so dominated by liberals that Hoffa is barely being attacked for what he said, and the union is barely being attacked for what they did.

I can't emphasize enough how liberals have a near-monopoly on the media. The own the film industry. They own all 3 major networks on television. (This is why Fox pisses off liberals so much, Republicans have finally broken the television monopoly). They own just about every major newspaper, and the Associate Press.

Republicans own talk radio, Fox, a few newspapers. And we share the internet, which is free as a bird. (Liberals would love to fix that!)

When pro-lifers organize massive criminal conduct (for instance, Operation Rescue), it is utterly non-violent. It has to be, as the press kills us if it's any other way.

Union violence, on the other hand, is ignored, or justified. (See this).

Do you think Hoffa is going to be hurt at all by this crime? Ha! Do you think he will be demonized in the media? Ho!

I am all for drumming Hoffa out of polite society (on the very questionable assertion that he was ever in polite society in the first place.) And I am all for prosecuting the criminals in Longview to within an inch of their lives.

I merely object to the notion that the thugs in Longview are somehow taking their lead from Hoffa. My apologies if that's not what you meant.

And the WSJ can say what it wants' but all the local reporting says otherwise, e.g.:

"The union believes it has the right to work at the facility, but the company has hired a contractor that's staffing a workforce of laborers from another union, the Portland-based Operating Engineers Local 701. Representatives of the engineers union did not immediately return a call seeking comment."

Oh, and to clarify: initial reports some time ago were that the Longshoremen were going to be replaced by non-union workers, but that's no longer the case and the current violent attack is about the union-vs-union battle.

Luke 9:23-24 And He said to them all, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.Each of the 12, except John and Judas Iscariot died as martyrs.

If that's the case, why aren't they protesting outside the union shop and trashing the union offices?

Seems to me they went after the corporate son of a bitches. Just like Hoffa told them to.

And I'm not saying Hoffa's speech is criminal. It's clearly not. But I am saying his speech should be sharply rebuked by the media, and at least an argument should be made about a possible connection between what he said and the rise in union violence.

He should be attacked in the media, in other words. And he's not.

Reason? Liberals are not outraged about union violence. They approve or they acquiesce.

@Dave: The original apostles, plus St. Paul and other notable sorts, brazenly defied government dictates regarding the open sharing and spreading of their faith. They were repeatedly hunted down, jailed (and on more than one occasion, escaped), exiled (if they were lucky), and their followers fed to the lions. In the end, they met with stoning, decapitation, crucifixion and other nasty executions, all in an ultimately unsuccessful effort to shut them up.

I dunno. You could call that a lot of things, but "meekly led to the slaughter" isn't really one of them.

I get your point Eileen, but perhaps we could talk about what "meek" really means. It has come to mean weakness or cowardice, but that's not it's Christian meaning or how I meant it. Humility is the better word, meaning simply the acceptance of the truth of our dependence on God and obedience to His plan for us. Christ himself was exceedingly humble in death as were the Apostles. Were they courageous? Certainly, but they were also meek fully abandoning their own desires to serve as God would have them serve because they suppressed the temptation of pride (with the help of grace, of course).